Italy bans photovoltaic energy storage

Can solar PV be used on agricultural land in Italy?

Italy’s Council of Ministers has approved a decree that introduces urgent provisions for the agriculture sector, including limiting the deployment of solar PV on agricultural land. The new rules are based on a proposal from President Giorgia Meloni, which includes several measures aimed at protecting the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

Will photovoltaic systems be banned in Italy?

According to Italy’s minister of agriculture, food sovereignty and forestry, Francesco Lollobrigida, the ban will focus on photovoltaic systems placed on the ground in areas classified as agricultural.

Why did Italy enact a photovoltaic decree?

The final aim of the decree is to “avoid desertification” of Italian agricultural land. “We wanted to regulate the use of photovoltaic panels, and we believe that the land serves to produce and energy production must be compatible with agricultural production,” said Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida.

Can agrivoltaics be expropriated in Italy?

In fact, Italian law does not allow for expropriation for solar PV and agrivoltaics. While it is possible to expropriate land for grid works, in most cases such works involve underground cables, which does not impede agricultural activities.

Will agrivoltaic projects be banned?

However, the decree will not prevent agrivoltaic projects where solar panels are installed above fields of crops without interfering with productivity. Solar plants on non-productive agricultural land such as quarries and solar facilities financed under the recovery and resilience plan framework will also be exempt from the ban. Have you read?

Will solar be allowed in Italy?

The decision to implement this law has been met with some resistance. Italian solar association Italia Solare wrote a letter to President Meloni calling for clarification on areas where solar would be permitted, as well as clear authorisation procedures.